Adaptive Climbing in the Gunks
4-27-15
“There are no holds,” Kat said as she tried for the first moves of Easy Keyhole, a 5.2 in the Gunks. Kat was part of the Adaptive Climbers Group event hosted by Mountain Skills Climbing Guides on Saturday. She and seven other adaptive climbers climbed such routes as Black Fly, Rhododendron, Horseman, No Picnic, Dirty Chimney, and Easy Keyhole with the help of 22 volunteers from NYC, CT, Philly, or NJ and the Gunks.
“Without volunteers helping with everything from setting ropes to lending a helping hand this operation couldn't be done. It is climbers helping climbers; that’s what this engagement is all about. Nothing more,” Doug Ferguson, owner of Mountain Skills Climbing Guides and chief Gunks organizer said.
Saturday was Kat’s first outdoor climbing experience, although she has climbed inside at the gym.
Sarah Best, 24, lives in New Paltz and is originally from Pond Ridge, NY. She was born with Cerebral Palsy, according to her mother, Elaine.
“This is way out of her comfort zone,” Elaine said as Sarah climbed up Dirty Chimney. It was her third route of the day. “She’s loving it”.
A female volunteer followed her up each route offering physical assistance and suggestions.
After watching Sarah killing it on the route both of her parents donned harnesses and climbed up it too.
ACG will be back in the Gunks with a Gym to Craig program for Wounded Warriors in the next few months.
“There are no holds,” Kat said as she tried for the first moves of Easy Keyhole, a 5.2 in the Gunks. Kat was part of the Adaptive Climbers Group event hosted by Mountain Skills Climbing Guides on Saturday. She and seven other adaptive climbers climbed such routes as Black Fly, Rhododendron, Horseman, No Picnic, Dirty Chimney, and Easy Keyhole with the help of 22 volunteers from NYC, CT, Philly, or NJ and the Gunks.
“Without volunteers helping with everything from setting ropes to lending a helping hand this operation couldn't be done. It is climbers helping climbers; that’s what this engagement is all about. Nothing more,” Doug Ferguson, owner of Mountain Skills Climbing Guides and chief Gunks organizer said.
Saturday was Kat’s first outdoor climbing experience, although she has climbed inside at the gym.
Sarah Best, 24, lives in New Paltz and is originally from Pond Ridge, NY. She was born with Cerebral Palsy, according to her mother, Elaine.
“This is way out of her comfort zone,” Elaine said as Sarah climbed up Dirty Chimney. It was her third route of the day. “She’s loving it”.
A female volunteer followed her up each route offering physical assistance and suggestions.
After watching Sarah killing it on the route both of her parents donned harnesses and climbed up it too.
ACG will be back in the Gunks with a Gym to Craig program for Wounded Warriors in the next few months.
